🐇 Five Common Rabbit Diseases: Vet Guide for 2025
In this article
Five Common Rabbit Diseases Every Owner Should Know: Vet Guide 2025 🐇🩺
By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc
📚 Why Focus on These Five?
While rabbits can experience a wide range of health issues, five conditions—**GI stasis**, **dental malocclusion**, **snuffles (rhinitis/sinusitis)**, **flystrike**, and **Encephalitozoon cuniculi**—are among the most frequent and often life-threatening if left unmanaged. This comprehensive guide outlines each disease’s causes, signs, diagnostics, treatment, and effective prevention in 2025 care.
1️⃣ Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis
➤ What Is It?
A slowdown or stoppage of gut motility often due to stress, low fiber, pain, dehydration, or post-dental issues.
➤ Signs
- Little or no fecal output
- Decreased appetite, hunched posture, tooth grinding
- Abdominal bloating, reduced gut sounds
➤ Diagnostics
- Physical exam and abdominal palpation
- Obstruction check via radiographs or ultrasound
- Assess for underlying pain or dental disease
➤ Treatment
- Fluid therapy (IV/SQ) and syringe feeding
- Pain relief: NSAIDs/opioids
- Pro-motility medications such as metoclopramide or cisapride
➤ Prevention
- High-fiber diet, fresh water, raw greens
- Prompt dental care and stress minimization
- Regular exercise and environmental enrichment
2️⃣ Dental Malocclusion & Related Disease
➤ What Is It?
Misaligned or overgrown teeth—often genetic or diet-related—leading to painful spurs, abscesses, and oral trauma.
➤ Signs
- Drooling, wet chin, weight loss, reduced appetite
- Facial swelling or abscess in severe cases
➤ Diagnostics
- Oral exam under sedation
- Skull X-rays or CT to check root and jaw structure
➤ Treatment
- Cheek and incisor trimming, spurs removal
- Crown reduction, extraction, abscess drainage
- Pain management and antibiotics
➤ Prevention
- High-fiber diet with hay and chew toys
- Routine dental check-ups and home monitoring
3️⃣ Snuffles (Rhinitis & Sinusitis)
➤ What Is It?
Commonly caused by Pasteurella multocida, often complicated by dental disease or secondary infections.
➤ Signs
- Sneezing, nasal discharge, crusting around nose
- Eye discharge, breathing difficulties
➤ Diagnostics
- Swabs for bacterial culture & sensitivity
- Dental exam, radiographs; CT or endoscopy if needed
➤ Treatment
- Culture-based antibiotics—e.g., enrofloxacin
- Supportive care: steam/nebulisation, nasal hygiene
- Treat any dental sources
➤ Prevention
- Good air quality, hygiene, ventilation
- Prompt treatment of dental or respiratory signs
4️⃣ Flystrike (Myiasis)
➤ What Is It?
A devastating condition where flies lay eggs on soiled or wet fur, and larvae rapidly cause skin destruction.
➤ Signs
- Fur matting, foul smell, visible maggots
- Pain, lethargy, fever, restlessness
➤ Diagnostics
- Visual inspection of affected skin
- Assess general health and potential causes (GI stasis, poor hygiene)
➤ Treatment
- Immediate sedation, maggot removal, wound debridement
- Antibiotics, pain relief, fluids
- Ongoing wound care, cleaning, and monitoring
➤ Prevention
- Daily grooming and hygiene—especially in warm seasons
- Area hygiene, fly screens, and pesticides safe for rabbits
- Prompt treatment of diarrhea, infection, or urinary issues
5️⃣ Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi)
➤ What Is It?
A protozoal parasite causing neurologic disease, renal signs, and eye problems due to spore infection via urine.
➤ Signs
- Head tilt, ataxia, tremors, paralysis
- Cataracts, uveitis, kidney signs such as increased thirst/urination
➤ Diagnostics
- Serology (IgM/IgG titers), PCR of urine or CSF
- MRI/CT for brain or inner ear assessment
➤ Treatment
- Fenbendazole for 28 days
- NSAIDs, steroids, fluid support, physiotherapy
- Early treatment often leads to good recovery
➤ Prevention
- Clean enclosures and remove urine promptly
- Test and treat group-housed bunnies
- Avoid contaminated hay or forest forage
✅ Summary Table
| Disease | Key Signs | Treatment Highlights | Prevention Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Stasis | No droppings, bloat | Fluid, syringe feed, pain relief | Fiber diet, hydration, dental care |
| Dental Malocclusion | Drooling, spurs, eating issues | Trim/extract, pain meds | Hay, chew toys, routine checks |
| Snuffles | Sneezing, nasal discharge | Antibiotics, nebulisation | Clean, ventilated housing |
| Flystrike | Foul smell, maggots | Debridement, ABs, fluids | Hygiene, fly control |
| E. cuniculi | Head tilt, tremors | Fenbendazole, supportive care | Clean enclosures, test herd |
🧠 Vet Tips for 2025
- Educate owners on recognizing gut function daily—droppings, eating, behavior.
- Encourage annual dental and respiratory exams, especially for at-risk breeds.
- Support owners with hygiene plans, fly prevention, and home environment checks.
- Promote awareness of neurologic signs—early E. cuniculi detection improves prognosis.
- Provide client resources—diet charts, grooming trackers, environmental checklists.
🔚 Final Takeaway
GI stasis, dental malocclusion, snuffles, flystrike, and E. cuniculi are among the most common and serious rabbit ailments. In 2025, prioritizing prevention—through diet, hygiene, and monitoring—paired with prompt veterinary intervention, gives pet rabbits the best chance of health and longevity. 🐇❤️
🌟 Partner Services
- Ask A Vet: 24/7 access for early triage, disease-specific action plans, and home-care coaching.
- Woopf: Broad product range—fiber hay packs, simple chew tools, fly-safe bedding, grooming kits, and physiotherapy aids.
- Purrz: Supportive supplements—gut motility blends, dental health chews, respiratory soothing solutions, and neurologic vitality packs.
